Environment Control Device Wi-Fi Hotspot Mesh Network Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environment control systems often have duplicate wireless communication infrastructures for environmental data exchange and Internet access, leading to inefficiencies, and there is a need to adapt these systems to provide a Wi-Fi hotspot for Internet access in daisy-chained configurations.
Innovation Solution
Environment control devices are equipped with a communication module that includes Wi-Fi hotspot and mesh client functionalities, allowing them to establish a Wi-Fi hotspot for Internet access and exchange environmental data over a mesh or daisy-chain network, enabling upstream and downstream Internet data forwarding between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate wireless communication infrastructure is deployed for Internet access, then Internet connectivity is provided to residents, but the system complexity and infrastructure cost increase due to duplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the environmental data communication function and Internet access function into a single wireless communication infrastructure. The environment control devices participate in both the mesh network for environmental data and the Wi-Fi hotspot network for Internet access, eliminating the need for separate dedicated infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The environment control devices are equipped with dual functionality: they maintain mesh client capabilities for environmental monitoring while simultaneously providing Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities for Internet access. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware infrastructure to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for additional dedicated equipment.
2Device complexity
If environment control devices use daisy-chained configuration for communication, then the network structure is simplified, but providing Internet access becomes more challenging due to limited communication pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication functions by implementing separate logical channels within the daisy-chained configuration: one channel for environmental data exchange between control devices, and another channel for Internet data forwarding through designated gateway devices. This segmentation allows the simple daisy-chain structure to simultaneously support both environmental monitoring and Internet access without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces gateway devices as intermediaries in the daisy-chained configuration. These gateway devices have dual connectivity - they participate in the daisy-chain mesh network for environmental data while also connecting to the external Wi-Fi network for Internet access. The gateway devices mediate between the internal environmental control network and the external Internet, enabling Internet data forwarding through the otherwise limited daisy-chain structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An environment control device (ECD) providing a Wi-Fi hotspot for accessing the Internet. The ECD comprises a communication module with a Wi-Fi hotspot functionality for establishing a Wi-Fi hotspot at the ECD, and a mesh client functionality for communicating over a mesh network. The communication module provides for exchanging environmental data with at least another ECD, over one of the Wi-Fi hotspot or mesh network. It also provides for receiving upstream Internet data from at least one user terminal over the Wi-Fi hotspot, and forwarding the upstream Internet data to another ECD over the mesh network. It further provides for receiving downstream Internet data from another ECD over the mesh network, and forwarding the downstream Internet data to the at least one user terminal over the Wi-Fi hotspot. The ECD providing the Wi-Fi hotspot for accessing the Internet may be a daisy-chained ECD controlled by a master ECD.